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No. 606,992. Patented'luly 5', I898,

A'. G. HOFSTATTER. SPRING BACK FOR FURNITURE.

(Application filed Apr. 22, 1897'.)

(No Model.)

- ATTOREYS.

in frames aan'r three. I

ADOLPH G. IIOFSTATTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPRING-BACK FOR FURNiTURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,992, dated July 5, 1898.

Application filed April 22, 1897. Serial No. 633,310. (No model.) v

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LADOLP H G. HOFSTATTER, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Backs for Furniture, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in spring-backs for upholstered chairs, couches, and other structures by which a yielding back is obtained that provides a comfortable position for the sitter which yields to any movement and returns to its original position after pressure is relinquished thereon; and the invention consists of a piece of furniture, such as a chair or couch, the back of which is composed of an iron frame that is connected by means of cushioning and relief springs with the arms of the chair or couch, the lower end of the back-frame being hinged to the seat-frame of the chair or couch, so thata comfortable yielding of the back is obtained.

The invention consists, further, of details of construction hereinafter-described, and defined in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 represent perspective views of a chair and couch made according to my improved construction. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the frame of a chair, showing the yielding spring-cushioned back-frame. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the rear part of the yielding back and its connection with the arms; and Figs. 5 and 6 are different forms of stops used in connection with the yielding springs of the back, so as to prevent the overstraining of said springs.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an upholstered chair, couch, or other structure, B the seat-frame of the same, and C the back, which is formed of iron or other suitable metal, the lower end of which is hinged to a U-shaped strap I), attached to the seat-frame B, as shown clearly in Fig. 4. The arms D of the chair or couch are likewise constructed of iron or other suitable material, the back being connected with the rear bars of the arms by means of one or more strong helical springs E E, by which the frame of the back 0 is connected with the frame of the arms. It is preferable to arrange two sets of connecting-springs between the side arms and the hinged back, the upper springs serving for the cushioning-springs E E, the lower springs serving as reserve springs E in case of breakage or other injury to the upper springs. Each cushioning-spring E E is provided with a suitable stop device that is formed of links 6, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In the form shown in Fig. 5 the link e is connected at one end to the helical springs E and at the opposite end encircles the metallic side frames of the arms D D. In the form shown in Fig. 6 the link 6 is separate from the spring E and is sleeved in the hollow coil of said spring. The opposite ends of the spring are formed into loops, which serve to secure the spring to the side frames of the arms and to the back and also embrace one side of the link e. The links e serve in the nature of stops, so as to prevent the overstraining of the helical cushioning-springs E E and a too liberal yielding motion of the back under pressure. The upper or cushioning springs E E serve as the yielding springs, while the lower springs E serve as relief-springs in case the upper springs should be incapacitated for use. The U-shaped bar 5, upon which the back is hinged, extends over the joints of the chair and is so fastened as to give additional strength to this part of the frame, which in ordinary structures is liable to give way.

The entire structure is covered by a suitable covering material and has the advantage that it supplies a comfortable yielding back for the occupant of the chair or couch without interfering with the covering ofthe piece of furniture. It permits, further, the construction of upholstered furniture with metallic side and back frames, so that a very yielding back is obtained,in which the springs are prevented from overstraining by means of stop devices for the springs, but by which the thickness of the upholstering'of the back and sides can be considerably diminished and yet strong furniture with yielding back of superior construction obtained.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The combination, with the seat-frame of a piece of furniture, of side frames attached to the seat-frame, aback-frame hinged at its lower end to the seat-frame, cushioningsprings provided with stop devices connecting said back and side frames, whereby the throw [0 of the back-frame is limited, and reliefsprings located below the said cushioningsprings and connecting the back and side frames, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADOLPH G. HOFSTATTER.

Witnesses:

WM. H. ROCKWOOD, GEO. J. LITTLE. 

